A midfield general who has single-handedly dragged Liverpool to glory on many occasions, Steven Gerrard has come to define the modern Reds and has now been recognised with the No.1 spot in our 100 Players Who Shook the Kop countdown.

The Anfield skipper, who has worn the captain's armband for a decade, finished second behind Kenny Dalglish when we first conducted this poll in 2006 but has overtaken 'The King' this time around.

Gerrard is the prototype footballer of the 21st century, a mould of supreme physical attributes - most notably sheer power - and the technical qualities to shine not just in England, but Europe and across the world.

But it is also the bond forged by watching a local lad graduate to become the Liverpool captain, personifying every emotion a supporter feels in the stands, aligned to the No.8's unswerving loyalty in the face of regular offers to try a different adventure, which has established the midfielder as the Reds' residing statesman.

Hype and promise surrounded Steven from his early days in the Liverpool youth teams, where he was carefully nurtured by the likes of former Red Steve Heighway before stepping up to the first team with a last-minute substitute appearance against Blackburn in November 1998. A new chapter in club history was about to be written.

By the following season Steven was a regular member of Gerard Houllier's set-up, although perhaps his body clock had not caught up with his on-field progress - back and groin issues repeatedly afflicted the aspiring youngster.

Such concerns were forgotten in 2000-01, though, when the Huyton native collected his first winner's medal at Liverpool. His first three, in fact. Gerrard racked up 50 appearances in all competitions, including the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup finals and scoring in the latter, to help Houllier's team secure an unprecedented treble.

Now an England international, Steven continued his handy knack of finding the net in finals - a recurring feature of his Anfield career - by blasting in a long-range effort on the way to victory over Manchester United in the 2003 League Cup showpiece.

He was handed the responsibility of captaincy later that year and reinvigorated his teammates with his all-action, inspirational approach to ensure that the Reds maintained their spot among the Champions League elite as Houllier passed the managerial reins onto Rafael Benitez.

Where Gerrard had previously propelled the team forward with force of will, the Scouser morphed into a more cerebral assassin under the new coach; it was a subtle alteration which brought a goal tally in the double figures for six seasons from 2004, including more than 20 on three occasions.

His contribution to the 2005 Champions League triumph is incalculable. Having smashed in a dramatic, crucial strike against Olympiacos in the group stage, it was again the midfielder who lifted his colleagues to another level when they found themselves trailing 3-0 to AC Milan at half-time in Istanbul.

Steven contorted his neck muscles to convert an unlikely headed opportunity and instantly cajoled fans and players alike into believing that the impossible could occur. With the skipper rampaging around the Ataturk and even filling in at right-back, the Reds took the title and Gerrard became only the fourth man to collect a European Cup in Liverpool history.

He was at it again 12 months later, and again when all seemed lost, scoring twice past West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final. His second effort defied belief - a last-minute equaliser volleyed from 35 yards while suffering from cramp - and earned the captain the right to bring more silverware back to Anfield.

Keen to glean maximum dividends from Steven's quality in the opposition half, Benitez evolved Gerrard into a second striker position. The tactical switch was a resounding success for the individual and the team, although there was heartbreak in 2007 as Milan grabbed Champions League revenge in Athens.

A club record fee was subsequently parted with to bring striker Fernando Torres to the club, and our captain developed a wonderful creative partnership with the Spaniard to rival Keegan-Toshack, Dalglish-Rush and Hunt-St John as the most productive Kopites have ever witnessed.

The much-coveted Premier League winner's medal has eluded Steven to date, but he resumed trophy-collecting duties once more in 2011-12 - when Dalglish, back as boss, guided his charges to League Cup glory at the expense of Cardiff at Wembley.

With injury issues put to one side following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager in the summer of 2012, Gerrard proceeded to almost clinch an ever-present league season. His exertions were acknowledged with a new contract as he prepares for his 16th year in the senior team.

Fittingly, Anfield had the opportunity to say 'thank-you' to their talisman - who is now the club's eighth highest appearance maker and seventh most prolific goal-getter - just last Saturday during his testimonial at home to Olympiacos. And now 'Captain Fantastic' can add another honour to his growing list: the man who shook the Kop more than any other.

Appearances: 630Goals: 159Honours with LFC: 1 Champions League (2004-05), 2 FA Cups (2000-01, 2005-06), 3 League Cups (2000-01, 2002-03, 2011-2012), 1 UEFA Cup (2000-01)Did you know? Gerrard has scored more goals for Liverpool in European competition than any other player, with 39Where is he now? Still at the club